WalletHub Ranks Best and Worst States for Job Seekers in 2025
As the job market undergoes significant changes, a recent ranking by WalletHub has identified the best and worst states in the United States for job seekers in 2025. This analysis comes at a time when the number of job seekers has surpassed available openings for the first time since April 2021, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The report highlights the regions where opportunities are most abundant, revealing that the top states for employment are primarily located in New England, the Upper Midwest, and the Great Plains, with Texas as the only representative from the South. The findings aim to offer insights to those navigating a challenging employment landscape, particularly in light of recent layoffs from major employers such as Amazon, Meta, and General Motors.
To compile the rankings, WalletHub evaluated all 50 states using 34 metrics that reflect job-market strength and economic health. Important factors included employment growth, median annual income, average commute time, job security, and the potential impact of artificial intelligence on job availability. These metrics paint a comprehensive picture of where job seekers might find the best prospects.
Top States for Job Seekers
The analysis revealed that many of the states offering the most promising job opportunities share common characteristics: low unemployment rates, robust job growth, and environments conducive to business. WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo stated, “The best states for jobs make it easier for residents to find and retain jobs, and employers in these states also offer very competitive compensation and benefits.”
Here are the ten best states for job seekers, alongside their rankings in job market strength and economic stability, as well as median household incomes and home sale prices:
1. **Massachusetts**
– Job Market Rank: 1
– Economic Market Rank: 22
– Median Household Income: $104,828
– Median Home Sale Price: $639,100
2. **Connecticut**
– Job Market Rank: 4
– Economic Market Rank: 15
– Median Household Income: $96,049
– Median Home Listing Price: $461,800
3. **Minnesota**
– Job Market Rank: 8
– Economic Market Rank: 4
– Median Household Income: $87,117
– Median Home Sale Price: $363,300
4. **Vermont**
– Job Market Rank: 5
– Economic Market Rank: 17
– Median Household Income: $82,730
– Median Home Sale Price: $427,600
5. **New Hampshire**
– Job Market Rank: 7
– Economic Market Rank: 12
– Median Household Income: $99,782
– Median Home Sale Price: $509,900
6. **South Dakota**
– Job Market Rank: 10
– Economic Market Rank: 7
– Median Household Income: $76,881
– Median Home Sale Price: $325,700
7. **Texas**
– Job Market Rank: 18
– Economic Market Rank: 2
– Median Household Income: $79,721
– Median Home Sale Price: $339,100
8. **North Dakota**
– Job Market Rank: 13
– Economic Market Rank: 9
– Median Household Income: $77,871
– Median Home Sale Price: $297,100
9. **Maine**
– Job Market Rank: 2
– Economic Market Rank: 31
– Median Household Income: $76,442
– Median Home Sale Price: $396,400
10. **Rhode Island**
– Job Market Rank: 15
– Economic Market Rank: 8
– Median Household Income: $83,504
– Median Home Sale Price: $570,000
States Offering the Fewest Job Opportunities
In contrast, WalletHub also identified the states with the most challenging job markets. The following states ranked as the ten worst for job seekers, reflecting low job market strength and economic health:
1. **West Virginia**
– Job Market Rank: 50
– Economic Market Rank: 44
– Median Household Income: $60,798
– Median Home Sale Price: $239,800
2. **Louisiana**
– Job Market Rank: 49
– Economic Market Rank: 43
– Median Household Income: $60,986
– Median Home Sale Price: $253,000
3. **Kentucky**
– Job Market Rank: 35
– Economic Market Rank: 49
– Median Household Income: $64,526
– Median Home Sale Price: $270,500
4. **Alaska**
– Job Market Rank: 48
– Economic Market Rank: 30
– Median Household Income: $95,665
– Median Home Sale Price: $401,800
5. **Oregon**
– Job Market Rank: 27
– Economic Market Rank: 50
– Median Household Income: $85,220
– Median Home Sale Price: $507,800
6. **North Carolina**
– Job Market Rank: 46
– Economic Market Rank: 37
– Median Household Income: $73,958
– Median Home Sale Price: $379,500
7. **Pennsylvania**
– Job Market Rank: 29
– Economic Market Rank: 48
– Median Household Income: $77,545
– Median Home Sale Price: $306,200
8. **Montana**
– Job Market Rank: 40
– Economic Market Rank: 41
– Median Household Income: $75,340
– Median Home Sale Price: $547,000
9. **Indiana**
– Job Market Rank: 44
– Economic Market Rank: 36
– Median Household Income: $71,959
– Median Home Sale Price: $276,200
10. **Oklahoma**
– Job Market Rank: 42
– Economic Market Rank: 38
– Median Household Income: $66,148
– Median Home Sale Price: $252,900
As the job market continues to evolve, these rankings provide valuable insights for job seekers, helping them to make informed decisions about where to focus their search. With the right information, individuals can increase their chances of finding employment that meets their needs in this competitive landscape.
